TOWARDS A RELATIONAL FRAMEWORK OF DESIGN

Abstract

The evolution of design has seen shifts towards more co-creation-based practice. This is not an entirely new development, as there has been a growing recognition and adoption of user-centred themes and terms such as co-design and human-centred design, among others. The ways of ‘doing’ such practices are becoming well-documented and presented through various tools and techniques; however, what kind of ‘being’ supports this? The paper reviews indigenous research methodologies (IRM) to propose the dimensions of a more relational framework of design. It reviews the 4Rs of indigenous research methodologies to propose five areas (expanded into eight dimensions) for a more relational framework of design. These dimensions can also support a way of ‘being’ that can guide the approach towards more co-creative thought and practice when ‘doing’ design. These dimensions can further support efforts to understand and to develop approaches that respond to the decolonisation and indigenisation of the design process.